Before you commit time and money to a career change, you need a realistic idea of what the new role pays: where you're likely to start, and where you could be in a few years. Here's a simple process that works for any field, from nursing and the skilled trades to teaching, finance, and tech.
1. Start with free government data
Government sources cover nearly every occupation and aren't skewed by who chooses to self-report.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS): median pay, typical education or training, and projected job growth for hundreds of occupations.
- CareerOneStop Salary Finder: wages by occupation for your state or metro area, including entry-level and experienced ranges.
- O*NET OnLine: wages and outlook plus the day-to-day tasks, skills, and credentials each job requires. It's useful for spotting which of your current skills transfer.
2. Check real job postings in your area
A growing number of US states and cities require employers to list a pay range in job postings. Search your target job title on the major job boards for your location and note the ranges you see. Postings also show which certifications, licenses, or experience levels employers expect at each pay level.
3. Use crowd-sourced sites as a cross-check
Sites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and Indeed Salaries show self-reported pay by employer and location. They're helpful for comparing specific employers, but sample sizes can be small, so treat them as a rough guide rather than a single source of truth.
4. Look for published pay scales
Many jobs have public, fixed pay schedules: government roles (see the OPM federal pay tables), public school districts (teacher salary schedules), and union trades (apprentice and journeyworker rates). These show exactly how pay grows with years of service, education, or apprenticeship progress.
5. Compare total pay, not just the salary
Two offers with the same base pay can be very different. Factor in overtime, shift differentials, tips or commission, bonuses, health insurance, retirement contributions or pensions, paid time off, and tuition assistance. For hourly roles, estimate yearly pay from realistic weekly hours.
6. Build your own realistic range
- Collect figures from at least three sources and write down a low, middle, and high number for your location.
- Assume you'll start near the entry-level end, unless your current experience directly applies to the new role (it often does). Be ready to explain why.
- Plan for the transition itself: training or licensing costs, time spent studying, and a possible temporary pay dip. Know how long your savings can cover it.
- Revisit your numbers once you have a certification or license in hand. Credentials are often what unlock the next pay step.
Once you have a target role and a realistic range, generate your free FutureMap roadmap to see the skills, credentials, and steps that get you there.